The year 2005 could be taken as a landmark year in the field of education.

The HRD Ministry took serious note of the innumerable young lives lost due to examination or post-examination stress, and finally, put in motion changes which could go a long way in making studies an enjoyable activity for the young.

Some major efforts:

No separate period for Hindi: As part of its de-stressing efforts, NCERT decided to slash the Hindi curriculum for classes I, III, VI, IX and XI. These students will no longer have a separate period for Hindi. Neither will they have to carry textbooks or exercise books to school. To make history lessons more interesting, apart from the usual suspects, NCERT also introduced chapters on fashion and cricket. To attract students towards literature in English and Indian languages, the NCERT decided to prepare language textbooks.
No deduction for spelling errors: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) decided to go soft on spelling mistakes. It will no longer deduct marks for spelling mistakes in school kids' copies. CBSE X and XII examinees will from now be penalised for spelling goof-ups only in essays, letters or specific English-language tests.
Grading system for CBSE students: CBSE has decided to introduce a nine-point grading scale for class 10 students without letting them worry about being marked "failed." The new system will be effective from the year 2008.
Change in board exam syllabi: The announcement that the Class IX and Class XI portions are going to be chopped off the board exam syllabi has come as a big relief to students. Under the new system that comes into effect from 2007, Class IX and Class XI final exams are going to be conducted by the schools. But the question papers are to be set by the board. The respective schools will correct the papers.

Some suggestions from National Curriculum Framework Report 2005
1. Make Class X board tests optional
2. De-linking school leaving board examinations from entrance tests
3. A single nodal agency to conduct entrance examinations
4. Board or other exams not to be conducted at Class V, VIII or XI levels.
5. The Class X examination can be made optional only for those who want to continue to Class XI.